How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken: A Step-by-Step Guide
Are you looking for a delicious and easy-to-make recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further! Parmesan crusted chicken is a crowd-pleaser that can be prepared in just a few simple steps. In this article, we will guide you through the process of making this mouth-watering dish.
What You Need
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s take a look at what you’ll need:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup marinara sauce (optional)
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Rinse the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels.
Step 2: Prepare the Crust
In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
Step 3: Dip the Chicken
Dip each chicken breast in the beaten egg, coating it completely, then roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs gently onto the chicken to ensure they stick. Place the coated chicken on a plate or tray.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to a baking dish and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
Step 5: Serve
Serve the Parmesan crusted chicken hot with your choice of sides. You can serve it with marinara sauce, garlic bread, and a green salad for a complete meal. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes for a comforting dinner.
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to help you take your Parmesan crusted chicken to the next level:
- Use fresh breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs will give your crust a better texture and flavor than stale breadcrumbs.
- Add some heat: If you like a little spice, you can add some red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra kick.
- Try different cheeses: While Parmesan is a classic choice, you can also try using other hard cheeses like cheddar or provolone for a different flavor.
- Make it crispy: If you want a crisper crust, you can try baking the chicken at a higher temperature (425°F/220°C) for a shorter amount of time (10-12 minutes).
- Make it ahead: You can prepare the chicken and breadcrumb mixture ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Simply cook the chicken when you’re ready.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for one serving of Parmesan crusted chicken (assuming 4 servings):
- Calories: 340
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sodium: 450mg
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 35g
Conclusion
Making Parmesan crusted chicken is a simple and delicious way to add some excitement to your dinner routine. With just a few ingredients and some basic cooking skills, you can create a dish that is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Try out this recipe and see for yourself why it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Table: Ingredients and Nutrition Information
| Ingredient | Quantity | Nutrition Information |
|---|---|---|
| Breadcrumbs | 1 cup | Calories: 120, Fat: 2g, Carbohydrates: 25g |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/2 cup | Calories: 110, Fat: 9g, Protein: 6g |
| Parsley | 1/4 cup | Calories: 20, Fat: 0g, Carbohydrates: 5g |
| Garlic | 2 cloves | Calories: 10, Fat: 0g, Carbohydrates: 2g |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon | Calories: 0, Fat: 0g, Sodium: 250mg |
| Black pepper | 1/2 teaspoon | Calories: 0, Fat: 0g, Sodium: 125mg |
| Paprika | 1/4 teaspoon | Calories: 0, Fat: 0g, Sodium: 50mg |
| Olive oil | 2 tablespoons | Calories: 190, Fat: 22g, Sodium: 0mg |
| Egg | 1 | Calories: 70, Fat: 5g, Protein: 6g |
| Marinara sauce (optional) | 1 cup | Calories: 100, Fat: 2g, Sodium: 400mg |
Breadcrumbs: A Guide
Here are some tips for choosing the right breadcrumbs for your Parmesan crusted chicken:
- Fresh breadcrumbs: Fresh breadcrumbs will give your crust a better texture and flavor than stale breadcrumbs.
- White or whole wheat: You can use either white or whole wheat breadcrumbs for this recipe. White breadcrumbs will give a lighter, crisper crust, while whole wheat breadcrumbs will give a nuttier, denser crust.
- Store-bought or homemade: You can use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own at home. To make your own breadcrumbs, simply blend stale bread into crumbs in a food processor.
Parmesan Cheese: A Guide
Here are some tips for choosing the right Parmesan cheese for your Parmesan crusted chicken:
- Fresh or aged: You can use either fresh or aged Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Fresh Parmesan will have a milder flavor, while aged Parmesan will have a stronger, more nutty flavor.
- Grated or shredded: You can use either grated or shredded Parmesan cheese for this recipe. Grated Parmesan will give a more even distribution of cheese, while shredded Parmesan will give a chunkier texture.
- High-quality: Look for high-quality Parmesan cheese that is made from the milk of grass-fed cows. This will give a richer, more complex flavor to your dish.